Absorbed in Thought of God
The human mind is constantly active, and the science of yoga is intended to direct this activity toward the Supreme. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that when the mind is fully absorbed in thought of God, the living entity achieves the highest perfection. This absorption is the essence of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, enabling the soul to transcend material dualities and remain situated on the spiritual platform.
The Definition of Real Samādhi
Many people associate samādhi with a specific physical posture or an empty mind, but Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that it is actually a state of consciousness. Samādhi is achieved when the mind is virtually absorbed in thoughts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is not an artificial state; rather, it is the result of training the mind to accept meditation on the Lord. When one reaches the stage of loving the Supreme Lord, the mind is automatically absorbed in His thought, making one the topmost yogī.
- Samadhi is not an artificial bodily state; it is the state achieved when the mind is virtually absorbed in thoughts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- As long as mind is in material consciousness, it must be forcibly trained to accept meditation on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but when one is actually elevated to loving the Supreme Lord, the mind is automatically absorbed in thought of the Lord.
- At the ultimate issue, when one is fully absorbed in thought of the Supreme Lord and meditates on Him constantly, that is the highest perfection. Bhagavad-gita confirms that one who is always absorbed in such a way is to be considered the topmost yogi.
- Actually, ecstatic samadhi, or absorption in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can be achieved by constant engagement in His service.
Practical Methods to Absorb the Mind
Śrīla Prabhupāda provides practical methods for achieving this absorption in everyday life. If one worships the Deity in the temple or goes on chanting the holy names, the mind naturally becomes absorbed in thought of the Lord’s form and pastimes. Just as a businessman is always absorbed in thoughts of his business, a devotee can be absorbed in thoughts of rendering loving service. Even simple activities like seeing the beautiful decorations of the Deity can cause a devotee to lose all other consciousness and remain fixed on the Lord.
- If one worships the Deity in the temple, one's mind will naturally be absorbed in thought of the Lord and His form.
- If one goes on chanting the holy names of the Lord, which are not different from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, naturally his mind becomes absorbed in thought of the Lord.
- As the businessman is always absorbed in thoughts of his business, so the living entity can be absorbed in thoughts of rendering loving service to the Lord.
- It is explained in this verse (SB 3.25.36) that although they (devotees of God) do not have knowledge, simply by seeing the beautiful decoration of the Deity in the temple, the devotee is absorbed in thought of Him and loses all other consciousness.
Detachment and Internal Happiness
Being absorbed in thought of the Lord provides a unique strength and detachment. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the example of Devahūti, who, after Kapiladeva left home, remained absorbed in thought of Him. This constant situation in Kṛṣṇa consciousness enabled her to be detached from hearth and home. Similarly, a person like Ajamila was able to detach his mind from sense gratification by becoming absorbed in thinking of the form of the Lord. Unlike the materialists, a devotee absorbed in the Lord is always happy, regardless of their external circumstances.
- After Kapiladeva left home, Devahuti was absorbed in thought of Him, and thus she was always Krsna conscious. Her constant situation in Krsna consciousness enabled her to be detached from hearth and home.
- Ajamila fully engaged in devotional service. Thus he detached his mind from the process of sense gratification and became fully absorbed in thinking of the form of the Lord.
- Although Kamsa was always absorbed in thoughts of Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he was not happy. A devotee, however, whether sitting on a throne or beneath a tree, is always happy.
- One so absorbed (in thought of paramatma) becomes free from all duality and false designations.
Transcendence of the Great Personalities
Great personalities like Lord Śiva and Dhruva Mahārāja exemplify the power of mental absorption. Lord Śiva is in the transcendental position because he is always absorbed in thought of Lord Vāsudeva within himself. Dhruva Mahārāja was so absorbed in meditation that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the universal consciousness, was personally attracted to him. Even the sages and queens of Kṛṣṇa were so deeply absorbed in thought of the Lord that they would shed tears in separation or forget their material surroundings while hearing His glories.
- If he is intelligent enough, he (a devotee of Siva) should continue to act in the way of Lord Siva, for Lord Siva is always absorbed in the thought of Vasudeva.
- Dhruva Maharaja was so absorbed in meditation on the thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead that He Himself, the universal consciousness, was attracted to Dhruva.
- Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginah (SB 12.13.1). A yogi is fully absorbed in thoughts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for he has no other business than to think of the Lord always within the heart.
- Dear cloud, O friend of Krsna’s, are you thinking of the Srivatsa symbol on Krsna’s chest like us queens engaged in loving affairs with Him? You are absorbed in meditation, remembering the association of Krsna, and thus you shed tears of misery.
Preparation for a Glorious Death
The ultimate test of absorption occurs at the time of death. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Bhagavad-gītā teaches one how to absorb the mind and intelligence in the thought of the Lord to enable a transfer to His kingdom. There are two ways to meet a glorious death, and one of them is to die absorbed in thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Whether one is a devotee like Lakṣmīdevī or an indirect thinker like Ravana, the final thought determines the destination. Constant practice throughout life ensures that one can remember the Lord at this critical moment.
- The Bhagavad-gita teaches one how to absorb the mind and intelligence in the thought of the Lord. Such absorption will enable one to transfer himself to the kingdom of the Lord.
- According to this (BG 8.6) principle, Laksmidevi, the goddess of fortune from Vaikuntha, who was absorbed in thought of the Lord in separation from Him, certainly went back home to Vaikunthaloka after death.
- There are two ways to meet a glorious death, and both are very rare. One is to die after performing mystic yoga, especially bhakti-yoga, by which one can control the mind and living force and die absorbed in thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Pierced by the arrows of Lord Ramacandra, both Kumbhakarna and Ravana lay on the ground and left their bodies, fully absorbed in thought of the Lord, just as they had in their previous births as Hiranyaksa and Hiranyakasipu.
Conclusion
Being absorbed in thought of God is the constitutional and most desirable state for every living entity. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this absorption is not restricted by time or place, but can be maintained continuously by following the instructions and messages of the Lord. By engaging the mind and intelligence in His service, the senses are naturally directed toward transcendental activities, leading to a change in consciousness. This persistent focus on the Lord frees the soul from material miseries and duality, granting the practitioner the highest perfection of yoga. Ultimately, to live and die absorbed in thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the certain path to returning home, back to Godhead.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Absorbed in Thought of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.